Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States and was founded on July 16, 1790. According to Wikipedia, Article One of the United States Constitution provides for a federal district, distinct from the states, to serve as the permanent national capital. The City of Washington was originally a separate municipality within the federal territory until an act of Congress in 1871 established a single, unified municipal government for the whole District. It is for this reason that the city, while legally named the District of Columbia, is known as Washington, D.C. Named in honor of George Washington, the city shares its name with the U.S. state of Washington located on the country’s Pacific coast.

The District is located on the north bank of the Potomac River and is bordered by the states of Virginia to the southwest and Maryland to the other sides. The city has a resident population of 599,657; because of commuters from the surrounding suburbs, its population rises to over one million during the workweek. The Washington Metropolitan Area, of which the District is a part, has a population of 5.4 million, the eighth-largest metropolitan area in the country.

The centers of all three branches of the federal government of the United States are located in the District, as are many of the nation’s monuments and museums. Washington, D.C. hosts 174 foreign embassies as well as the headquarters of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organization of American States (OAS), the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The headquarters of other institutions such as trade unions, lobbying groups, and professional associations are also located in the District.

Washington, D.C., is governed by a mayor and a 13-member city council. However, the United States Congress has supreme authority over the city and may overturn local laws. Residents of the District therefore have less self-governance than residents of the states. The District has a non-voting, at-large Congressional delegate, but no senators. D.C. residents could not vote in presidential elections until the ratification of the Twenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1961.

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery is a military cemetery which was established during the American Civil War. It covers 624 acres and is administered by the Department of the Army. Buried here are veterans and military casualties from each of the nation’s wars, starting with the Civil War and up through the military actions in Afghanistan and Irag.

Candee, Patricia, Llanos and Fran made sure to stop by the White House for some pictures!

Washington DC is a great place to visit any time of the year. There are many wonderful things to do and see almost every day. The White House, which is home to the President of the United States, is a well known landmark and is photographed by millions of people every year. There are many famous monuments and memorials, as well as museums that offer things of interest for people of any age. There are excellent restaurants, beautiful parks and an abundance of cultural events happening at almost any time of the year. In the spring, millions of people come from all over just to see the cherry blossoms in and aound the city.

Polly #2 and Polly #3 couldn't wait to show Polly #17 the West Virginia column in the World War II memorial

I love to visit the World War II Memorial

The National World War II Memorial is dedicated to Americans who served in the armed forces and as civilians during World War II. It consists of 56 pillars and a pair of arches surrounding a plaza and fountain, and is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

The Washington Monument looks so small from here

The Washington Monument was built as a tribute to George Washington’s military leadership during the American Revolution. It mostly constructed from white marble blocks, weighs 81,120 tons and stands over 555 feet tall. Visitors can take an elevator to the observation are where they can gaze out over the city.

My friends Llanos, Fran and Patricia were visiting from Spain and enjoyed the beautiful weather while we were in DC.

We found a bench to sit on and enjoy our picnic lunch

What a beautiful day to tour our nation's capital!

It's very sobering to read the names engraved on the Vietnam wall

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial honors U.S. service members of the U.S. armed forces who fought in the Vietnam War, service members who died in service in Vietnam/South East Asia, and those service members who were unaccounted for (Missing In Action) during the War.

The Washington Monument looks even taller when it's shown in the reflecting pool which is in front of the Lincoln Memorial

Can you see the statue of Lincoln at the top of the stairs?

The Lincoln Memorial was built to honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It’s located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and is in the form of a Greek Doric temple. It contains a large seated sculpture of Abraham Lincoln and has been the site of many famous speeches, including Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Lincoln was one of our most beloved Presidents!

Reflecting Pool

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is the largest of Washington, D.C.’s reflecting pools. It’s a long, rectangular pool which reflects both the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, and is lined by walking paths and shade trees. It’s about 2,029 feet long and 167 feet wide, has a depth of about 18 inches on the sides and 30 inches in the center, and holds about 6,750,000 gallons of water according to Wikipedia.

Can you see the top of the monument?

I wonder if they allow Travel Frogs inside!

According to Wikipedia, the United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, and the legislature of the Federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall. Though not in the geographic center of the District of Columbia, the Capitol is the origin by which the quadrants of the District are divided. Officially, both the east and west sides of the Capitol are referred to as “fronts.” Historically, however, only the east front of the building was intended for the arrival of visitors and dignitaries.

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court Building is the seat of the Supreme Court of the United States, and is located one block from the US Capitol. According to Wikipedia, the Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body in the United States, and leads the federal judiciary. It consists of the Chief Justice of the United States and eight Associate Justices, who are nominated by the President and confirmed with the “advice and consent” (majority vote) of the Senate. Once appointed, justices effectively have life tenure, serving “during good Behaviour”, which terminates only upon death, resignation, retirement, or conviction on impeachment. The Court meets in Washington, D.C. in the United States Supreme Court Building. The Supreme Court is primarily an appellate court, but it has original jurisdiction over a small range of cases. The Supreme Court is sometimes informally referred to as the High Court or by the acronym SCOTUS.

Washington DC is a wonderful place to visit and with so many wonderful things to see and do, you’ll probably want to come back over and over like I do!

Al~
Have you visited Washington, D.C.? It is a wonderful city filled with history. I have been there many times and I can’t wait to go back. I would love to meet the president. Do you think he would be interested in meeting a travel frog?
Love,
Polly #3

Hi Polly, I had the pleasure of meeting you at the IWO JIMA memorial last year and it looks as if you are still on the move, lucky you, mind you with the escorts that you have i would love to travel more maybe we might bump into each other again sometime!. Cheerio Bill.